The White Russian cat, also known as the Russian White, which is a monument of nobility with its white fur and beautiful eyes, is among the cat breeds that are newly accepted as a separate breed. Russian Blue cats, known as Russian Blue and Siberian Forest cats, are the ancestors of these cats. The history of the Russian White cat breed, which embodies the character traits and unique appearances of Russian Blue cats and the durable nature of Siberian Forest cats, dates back to the last century. First appearing in the 1960s, the purpose of bring White Russian cats was an effort to create a new breed from Russian Blue cats. For this purpose, Siberian Forest cats and Russian Blue cats were crossed. The result, however, was a white version of the Russian Blue cats. This breed, which started to become popular with a championship in England in 1975, was later developed and started to be produced in black and tabby colors. But the most beloved of the White Russian cats remained the breed with white fur and green eyes.

General Characteristics of the White Russian Cat

1. Their homeland is Russia.
2. Siberian Forest cats and Russian Blue cats are the ancestors of this breed.
3. Although their name is the White Russian cat, there are two other breeds of this cat breed in black and tabby colors.
4. It is a rare breed of cat.
5. They are medium sized cats. Their ideal weight is between 4 and 7 kilograms.
6. They have a muscular and graceful body.
7. Its legs are long and its claws are small.
8. The hair is medium length and dense.
9. Its eyes are yellow when young. As they get older, these eyes turn green.
10. Their keen intelligence predisposed them to training and learning. In addition, their ability to adapt quickly to their environment and their problem-solving abilities are also a result of their high intelligence.
11. Although they are very playful cats, it cannot be said that they are overly active.
12. They have an affectionate and friendly character.
13. They are adaptable and docile animals.
14. They like to receive attention and love, they do not like to be alone.
15. They are very attached to their owners.
16. They are emotionally sensitive and empathetic creatures.
17. They are social cats. They get along very well with other pets and people, forming strong bonds. However, being cautious animals may cause them to fear creatures they do not know.
18. They are talkative cats that communicate with their owners by meowing and purring.
19. In order to stay away from the danger of obesity, attention should be paid to their nutrition and their food should be chosen correctly. Exercises should not be interrupted, especially after infertility surgery. There are no known health problems other than their tendency to gain weight.

Training the White Russian Cat

This breed is active and playful enough from infancy to adulthood and old age. Therefore, we can say that Russian White, Black and Tabby cats are not a lazy cat breed. Especially the Russian White, who has reached adulthood, displays a relaxed attitude both in the games he plays with himself and with his human friends and spends his time with great enthusiasm. Training this breed is not very difficult. Since it likes to jump and climb, it can be introduced by supplementing with a cat tree and a scratching post. Behavior training can also be given with various toys such as small balls, toys with catnip, and lasers. This breed may fall out of activity at a later age. As a result, the problem of obesity may arise. In order to prevent this, he can gain this training by giving leash walking training during infancy or adulthood, and he can be able to move on foot for a while in old age.

White Russian Cat Care

Compared to other cat breeds, White Russian cats are happy to please their owners, making a difference with their training tendencies and harmonious nature. These features have made Russian White cats relatively easy to care for. But Russian Whites, just like their ancestors Russian Blues, can be affected by a lack of attention and love. For this reason, these playful cats should be given plenty of time and should not be left alone for a long time. Because it is very important for these cats to gain the appreciation of their owners, they should be treated with care and given cat food when they are successful. However, it should be taken into account that they will have weight problems and should not be consumed excessively.

White Russian cats love to play, but they are not very active and energetic. Therefore, it is not surprising that they encounter the problem of obesity after infertility surgery and in the following years. In order to prevent weight gain, exercises of Russian White cats should not be skipped and low-grain dry cat foods should be used in their feeding programs. These cats can be walked on a leash as they are good-natured and prone to learning. Thus, the risk of weight gain is minimized.

General Health Conditions and Potential Diseases That May Occur

This breed is generally healthy and has no known genetic health issues. However, due to its crossbreeding, it can suffer from common feline diseases such as urinary tract disease, kidney disease, periodontal disease, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, tapeworms and fleas are common, especially in Russian Black cats.

Obesity problem should not be forgotten. Especially in the elderly of this breed, obesity can occur due to excess weight and many complications such as diabetes and heart disease can be experienced.

Finally, the veterinarian visits that are necessary for every pet are also necessary for this breed. For the healthy development of the Russian White cat, the vaccinations must be complete and the health checks must not be interrupted. In addition, attention should be paid to his nutrition, but his diet should definitely consist of quality foods.

You can also read our articles about the Russian Blue Cats and Siberian Forest Cats, the ancestors of the White Russian cats.